The California Coastal Act (California Public Resources Code Sections 30000 et seq) was enacted by the State Legislature in 1976 to provide long-term protection of California’s coastline through partnerships with local jurisdictions. The Coastal Act contains policies that address public access to the coast, coastal recreation, the marine environment, coastal land resources, and coastal development; all within the City’s Coastal Zone.

The Coastal Zone of Hermosa Beach represents approximately 43% of the City’s land area and includes two miles of sandy shoreline, the City’s downtown core of commercial activity, the civic center area, neighborhood commercial establishments, and a mix of residential land uses including single-family homes, small multi-unit complexes, mobile homes, and larger multifamily apartment complexes.  The Coastal Zone extends inland (east) from the beach to Ardmore Avenue, with certain exceptions. 

In 2017, City Council adopted the City’s first comprehensive general plan update since 1979, PLAN Hermosa, an “Integrated General Plan and Coastal Land Use Plan.” The original intent of the General Plan and integrated Coastal Land Use Plan (LUP) was to replace the City’s Local Coastal Plan. The last comprehensive update was completed in 1982. There have been several amendments to the City’s Local Coastal Plan, which serves as the City’s Local Coastal Land Use Plan. While the City’s intent is to apply for a comprehensive certification of the General Plan and Integrated LUP with the long-term goal of achieving certification of a complete Local Coastal Program, a substantial amount of work remains to address policy concerns raised by Coastal Commission staff prior achieving certification of a complete Local Coastal Program.

As an alternative to a full update to the City’s LUP, City staff proposed, and Coastal Commission staff agreed, to a partial revision of the LUP. This partial revision, focused on the City’s Mobility Element of the General Plan, is a positive first step toward reaching the ultimate mutual goal of achieving full certification of a comprehensively updated and certified Local Coastal Program, which includes the Land Use Plan and Implementation Plan. 

 At the September 14, 2021 meeting, City Council authorize the amendment and update of the City’s Certified Coastal Land Use Plan, focused on the City’s Mobility Element, and authorize submittal to the California Coastal Commission.

Coastal Permitting:

In general, new development, development that increases floor area more than 10%, increases height more than 10%, or intensifies or changes the use, affects coastal resources, or involves a site where a Coastal Development Permit was previously issued, may require a Coastal Development Permit  with the California Coastal Commission after the City has approved the proposal in concept. The City's Planning Division can assist you at (310) 318-0242.  In some cases you may be referred to the California Coastal Commission staff for a determination of whether a Coastal Permit is required.  Coastal Development Permits are issued by the South Coast District:  http://www.coastal.ca.gov

Please refer to the Zoning Map to see if your property is located within the Coastal Zone. 

Documents and Links

Local Coastal Plan (1981)
Appendices - Table of Contents
Coastal Zone - Appendix A
Coastal Parking - Appendix B
Beach Access -  Appendices C-F
Coastal Development/Design - Appendices G-J
Comments and Responses to The Local Coastal Plan - Appendices K & L
Ballot Issues on Housing & Vote - Appendix S
California Coastal Commission Website
Low-Cost Accommodations Study Report (2019)